Tag Archives: awarded

Trio Awarded Nobel Prize in Economics for Research on Growth Fueled by Technology

Posted on by
Reply

This year’s Nobel Prize in Economics has been awarded to three experts who explore the influence of technology on economic growth.

Joel Mokyr from Northwestern University receives half of the prize, amounting to 11 million Swedish kronor (£867,000), while the remaining portion is shared between Philippe Aghion from the Collège de France, INSEAD Business School, and the London School of Economics, alongside Peter Howitt from Brown University.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced this award during a period marked by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and ongoing discussions about its societal implications, stating that the trio laid the groundwork for understanding “economic growth through innovation.”


This accolade comes at a time when nations worldwide are striving to rejuvenate economic growth, which has faced stagnation since the 2008 financial crisis, with rising concerns about sluggish productivity, slow improvements in living standards, and heightened political tensions.

Aghion has cautioned that “dark clouds” are forming amid President Donald Trump’s trade war, which heightens trade barriers. He emphasized that fostering innovation in green industries and curbing the rise of major tech monopolies are crucial for sustaining growth in the future.

“We cannot support the wave of protectionism in the United States, as it hinders global growth and innovation,” he noted.

While accepting the award, he pointed out that AI holds “tremendous growth potential” but urged governments to implement stringent competition policies to handle the growth of emerging tech firms. “A few leading companies may end up monopolizing the field, stifling new entrants and innovation. How can we ensure that today’s innovators do not hinder future advancements?”

The awards committee indicated that technological advancements have fueled continuous economic growth for the last two centuries, yet cautioned that further progress cannot be assumed.

Mokyr, a Dutch-born Israeli-American economic historian, was recognized for his research on the prerequisites for sustained growth driven by technological progress. Aghion and Howitt were honored for their examination of how “creative destruction” is pivotal for fostering growth.

Skip past newsletter promotions

“We must safeguard the core mechanisms of creative destruction to prevent sliding back into stagnation,” remarked John Hassler, chairman of the Economics Prize.

Established in the 1960s, the professional National Bank of Sweden awarded the Economics Prize in memory of Alfred Nobel.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded to Trio Pioneering Quantum Computing Chips

Posted on by
Reply

John Clarke, Michel Devolette and John Martinis awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics

Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images

The prestigious 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devolette, and John Martinis. Their research elucidates how quantum particles can delve through matter, a critical process that underpins the superconducting quantum technology integral to modern quantum computers.

“I was completely caught off guard,” Clarke remarked upon hearing the news from the Nobel Committee. “This outcome was unimaginable; it felt like a dream to be considered for the Nobel Prize.”

Quantum particles exhibit numerous peculiar behaviors, including their stochastic nature and the restriction to specific energy levels instead of a continuous range. This phenomenon sometimes leads to unforeseen occurrences, such as tunneling through solid barriers. Such unusual characteristics were first revealed by pioneers like Erwin Schrödinger during the early years of quantum mechanics.

The implications of these discoveries are profound, particularly supporting theories like nuclear decay; however, earlier research was limited to individual particles and basic systems. It remained uncertain whether more intricate systems such as electronic circuits, conventionally described by classical physics, also adhered to these principles. For instance, the quantum tunneling effect seemed to vanish when observing larger systems.

In 1985, the trio from the University of California, Berkeley—Clarke, Martinis, and Devolette—sought to change this narrative. They investigated the properties of charged particles traversing a superconducting circuit known as the Josephson Junction, a device that earned the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1973 for British physicist Brian Josephson. These junctions comprise wires exhibiting zero electrical resistance, separated by an insulating barrier.

The researchers demonstrated that particles navigating through these junctions behaved as individual entities, adopting distinct energy levels, clear quantum attributes, and registering voltages beyond expected limits without breaching the adiabatic barrier.

This groundbreaking discovery significantly deepened our understanding of how to harness similar superconducting quantum systems, transforming the landscape of quantum science and enabling other scientists to conduct precise quantum physics experiments on silicon chips.

Moreover, superconducting quantum circuits became foundational to the essential components of quantum computers, known as qubits. Developed by companies like Google and IBM, the most advanced quantum computers today consist of hundreds of superconducting qubits, a result of the insights gained from Clarke, Martinis, and Devolette’s research. “In many respects, our findings serve as the cornerstone of quantum computing,” stated Clarke.

Both Martinis and Devolette are currently affiliated with Google Quantum AI, where they pioneered the first superconducting quantum computer in 2019 that demonstrated quantum advantage over traditional machines. However, Clarke noted to the Nobel Committee that it was surprising to consider the extent of impact their 1985 study has had. “Who could have imagined that this discovery would hold such immense significance?”

Topics:

  • Nobel Prize/
  • Quantum Computing

Source: www.newscientist.com

Americans Awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine for Advancements in Understanding the Human Immune System

Posted on by
Reply

Three distinguished scientists (two from the U.S. and one from Japan) have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their pivotal discovery related to peripheral immune resistance.

Mary E. Blankku, Fred Ramsdell, and Sakaguchi Shiko were jointly recognized for their breakthrough that “has invigorated the field of peripheral tolerance and contributed to the advancement of medical treatments for cancer and autoimmune disorders,” as stated in a news release by the Nobel Committee. The three recipients will share a prize of 11 million Swedish Kronor (approximately $1.2 million).

“This could also enhance the success rates of organ transplants. Several of these therapies are currently in clinical trials,” he noted.

Autoimmune diseases may arise when T cells, which serve as the body’s main defense against harmful pathogens, malfunction.

Their collective discovery establishes an essential foundation for understanding alternative methods by which the immune system, known as peripheral resistance, functions.

To mitigate damage, our bodies attempt to eliminate malfunctioning T cells within the thymus, a lymphoid organ, through a mechanism termed central resistance. Associated Press.

The groundbreaking research began in 1995 when Sakaguchi, a prominent professor at the Center for Immunology Frontier Research at Osaka University in Japan, uncovered a previously unknown class of immune cells that defend against autoimmune diseases.

Six years later, in 2001, Mary Blankku, who now serves as a senior program manager at the Institute of Systems Biology in Seattle, along with Ramsdell, a scientific advisor to Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco, identified a specific genetic mutation responsible for a severe autoimmune disease known as IPEX.

They designated this gene as foxp3.

By 2003, Sakaguchi confirmed that the FOXP3 gene he had identified nearly a decade prior was crucial for cell development. These cells are now referred to as regulatory T cells, which are essential in monitoring other T cells to prevent their malfunction.

“Their discoveries were vital for understanding the immune system’s functioning and why serious autoimmune diseases don’t affect everyone,” remarked All Kampe, Chairman of the Nobel Committee.

Nobel Committee Executive Director Thomas Perman announced the award on Monday morning, stating that he was only able to reach Sakaguchi.

“I hugged him in his lab, and he expressed immense gratitude, stating it was a tremendous honor. He was quite moved by the news,” Perman mentioned.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for December 10th, coinciding with the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, a Swedish industrialist who founded the award to honor individuals who have significantly contributed to humanity. The inaugural award was revealed in 1901, marking the fifth anniversary of his passing.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine will be announced in Stockholm at the Karolinska Institute on Monday, followed by the prizes for Physics, Chemistry, and Literature on the ensuing days.

The Nobel Peace Prize will be revealed on Friday.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to Trio for Contributions to Immune Resistance

Posted on by
Reply

Mary Blankku, Fred Ramsdell, and Sato Shimajimajima have been announced as winners of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine by Committee Executive Director Thomas Perman.

Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to three groundbreaking researchers: Mary Blank, Fred Ramsdel, and Shimon Sakaguchi. They have made significant discoveries regarding a unique type of immune cell that prevents the immune system from attacking its own body.

“We have opened up an entirely new area in immunology,” stated Marie Warren Hellenius from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

T cells, a type of immune cell, are crucial for detecting and neutralizing harmful viruses and bacteria. These cells are continuously produced throughout a person’s life.

At times, newly formed T cell receptors may mistakenly target the body’s own proteins instead of those from viruses or bacteria, resulting in autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

The body possesses mechanisms to eliminate autoreactive T cells, with newly generated ones migrating to the thymus for evaluation. This has long been believed to be the sole process for the removal of self-targeting T cells.

Yet in 1995, Sakaguchi, now at Osaka University, demonstrated through a mouse study that other circulating cells in the bloodstream must provide some form of protection against autoreactive T cells. When the thymus is removed post-birth, mice develop autoimmune conditions; however, this outcome is averted when healthy T cells are introduced. His research identified that these particular T cells feature the CD25 protein on their surface, thereby classifying them as CD25-regulated T cells.

Meanwhile, Blankku, currently affiliated with the Institute of Systems Biology in Seattle, and Ramsdell, who advises Sonoma Bitherapeutics in San Francisco, studied mouse strains predisposed to autoimmune diseases. In 2001, Brunkow and Ramsdell identified that these mice possess mutations in a gene located on the X chromosome, specifically FOXP3.

Individuals with mutations in this gene are particularly susceptible to autoimmune disorders due to a condition known as IPEX syndrome. In 2003, Sakaguchi connected these findings, showing that the FOXP3 gene is integral to the development of the CD25-regulated cells his team had identified. Many researchers previously remained skeptical of Sakaguchi’s assertions, according to Warren Hellenius. However, the findings from Brunkow and Ramsdell solidified the case.

The discovery of regulatory T cells could pave the way for improved treatments across a variety of conditions. Increasing the presence of regulatory T cells may help mitigate autoimmune responses that lead to diseases like type 1 diabetes. Conversely, reducing these cells can amplify the immune system’s response against cancer. Numerous clinical trials are currently being conducted.

“Their discoveries have been fundamental in understanding the workings of the immune system and explaining why serious autoimmune diseases don’t universally develop,” remarked Orkenpe, the chairman of the Nobel Committee, in a statement.

Topics:

  • Immune system/
  • Nobel Prize

Source: www.newscientist.com

Renowned Mathematician Masaki Kashiwara Awarded the 2025 Abel Prize for Breakthrough Equation-solving Tool

Posted on by
Reply

Kashiwara’s work is very abstract, but is seen as important

Peter Bagde / Typos1 / The Abel Prize

Red-tailed For his research on algebraic analysis, he received the 2025 Abel Prize, known as the Nobel Prize in Mathematics.

Professor of Kashiwara Kyoto UniversityJapan received the award “for his fundamental contributions to algebraic analysis and representational theory, particularly for the development of the theory of D-modules and the discovery of crystal bases.”

His work involves the use of algebra, focusing on investigating geometry and symmetry, and using those ideas to find solutions to differential equations that include the relationship between mathematical functions and their rate of change. Finding solutions to such equations can be particularly difficult, especially for functions with several variables, and therefore with several rates of change. These are known as partial differential equations (PDEs).

Kashiwara’s important work on the D-module, a highly specific area of ​​algebraic analysis, including Linear PDE, was conducted surprisingly early in his career during his doctoral dissertation. He has worked with over 70 collaborators. Kashiwara said New Scientist He was pleased to win the Abel Prize, but he is still active and would like to make further contributions.

“I’m currently working on representative theory of quantum affine algebra and its related topics,” he says. “There’s a great guess: [the] “Affine epicenter speculation,” but I still don’t know how to solve it. ”

David Craven At the University of Birmingham, UK, Kashiwara’s work is very abstract and far from a direct real-world application, and even basic summary says that a minimum of a doctorate in mathematics is required. “That’s the level of these things being difficult,” he says. “It’s incredibly esoteric.”

However, Craven says that Kashiwara had a major impact on his field. “What he did is permeate theories of expression. If you want to do geometrical expression theory, you can’t escape from Kashiwara.

Gwyn Bellamy “All the big results on the field are [algebraic analysis] It was more or less due to him, and Kashiwara’s Abel Prize victory has been a long time.

Named after Norwegian mathematician Neils Henrik Abel, the Abel Prize is awarded annually by the King of Norway. Last year, Michelle Taragland won for his work in extreme studies of probability theory and randomness.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Japanese mathematician Kashiwara Kuniyama awarded the Abel Prize in 2025.

Posted on by
Reply

Kashiwara Kuniki, a Japanese mathematician, has been awarded the Abel Prize, considered the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in mathematics. Dr. Kashiwara’s work combines algebra, geometry, and differential equations in a unique and abstract manner.

The Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters, responsible for the Abel Prize, announced the honor on Wednesday morning.

“He resolved difficult open speculations and connected previously unknown areas, surprising mathematicians,” said Helge Holden, chairman of the awards committee.

Mathematicians can use connections between different mathematical domains to address complex problems and gain a deeper understanding.

Kawakaze, 78, from Kyoto University, is considered “very important in many different fields of mathematics,” stated Holden.

Dr. Kashiwara, when asked if his work solved real-world problems, responded with a negative. The honor comes with approximately $700,000 in prize money.

Unlike Nobel Prize winners, Dr. Kashiwara was informed of his accolade a week prior to the public announcement.

The Norwegian Academy surprises Abel Prize winners with notifications similar to surprise birthday parties.

(div data-testid=”companionColumn-2″>

Marit Westerguard, executive director of the Norwegian Academy, personally informed Dr. Kashiwara of his selection as Abel of the year.

Dr. Kashiwara, initially confused due to internet issues, was eventually able to grasp the news conveyed to him in Japanese.

Having been attracted to mathematics from a young age, Dr. Kashiwara’s work reflects his passion for algebraic analysis.

Real-world phenomena are explained using real and imaginary numbers, showcasing the interconnection between mathematics and the physical world.

Dr. Kashiwara’s impactful work in mathematics links abstract ideas to insightful combinations for mathematicians across various disciplines.

His innovative approaches, such as the Crystal Base, have opened new avenues of research in the field.

Source: www.nytimes.com